Houston voters have rejected moves to enact protections for transgender and gay people after a divisive campaign that has lasted more than a year.

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance would have extended protection over housing, employment and other areas.

Voters rejected the ordinance by a margin of 62% to 38%, Houston news channel KHOU reported.

In the most contested portion, the move would have allowed transgender people to use toilets of their choosing.

Opponents feared that the so-called “bathroom bill” would have allowed sexual predators into women’s toilets.

“I don’t know why anyone would think that men going into a women’s bathroom or swimming pool or locker room would be a good idea,” Susan Hunter, who voted against the ordinance, said on Tuesday.

“It’s not safe and these people need to find another solution,” she said.

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Source: http://www.bbc.com